Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We are currently welcoming new patients ages 16 and older.

You may request an appointment through our secure online form or by calling the office. Our team will guide you through the next steps.

Hearthstone Psychiatry & Wellness is based in the Tri-Cities region of Northeast Tennessee, serving Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.

We offer:

• In-person appointments at our office
• Secure telehealth visits for patients located in Tennessee on a case by case basis (and only for followup visits)

Your provider will help determine the best format for your care.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and integrate medical, biological, and psychological approaches to care.

A psychologist typically provides psychotherapy and behavioral interventions but does not prescribe medication (with rare exceptions in certain states).

At Hearthstone, we focus on thoughtful psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, and collaborative care planning.

When clinically appropriate, we may prescribe controlled medications. These decisions are made carefully and on an individual basis.

We do not provide addiction medicine services (including Suboxone or methadone treatment).

We provide medication management and may incorporate supportive or therapeutic elements into visits. If you require structured psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, trauma-focused therapy, etc.), we may coordinate care with trusted therapists in the community.

Our administrative hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

We are closed on weekends and major holidays.

We do not provide after-hours on-call coverage.

Appointment slot availability varies based on provider and service requested.

Patients may:

• Send secure messages through the patient portal
• Call the office during business hours

We aim to respond to portal messages within one business day (excluding weekends and holidays).

Medication refill requests require at least 3 business days for processing.

This depends on your diagnosis and treatment plan.

• During medication adjustments: typically every 2–6 weeks
• Once stable: typically every 3 months
• Follow-up frequency may vary based on clinical needs

Your provider will individualize your follow-up schedule.

• Initial psychiatric evaluation: 60 minutes
• Follow-up appointments: 20–30 minutes

If a longer visit is needed, we will schedule accordingly.

We are in network with select commercial insurance plans. Coverage varies by provider and plan. 

We do not accept TennCare/Medicaid at this time.

Please contact our office to verify your specific plan.

If we are not in network with your insurance plan, you may choose self-pay and request a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Our current self-pay rates:

• Initial psychiatric evaluation: $350
• Follow-up appointment: $175

Because documentation requires clinical time and review:

• Letters and forms may incur a per-page fee.
• Extended phone calls outside of scheduled visits may be billed proportionally.
• Employment paperwork requires an appointment.

We will always discuss fees in advance when possible.

Your initial evaluation includes:

• Comprehensive psychiatric history
• Medical history review
• Current symptoms and treatment goals
• Discussion of risks, benefits, and options
• Collaborative development of a treatment plan

Our approach is thorough, individualized, and medically grounded.

We require 24 business hours’ notice for cancellations.

Because we reserve your appointment time exclusively for you:

• Late cancellations or no-shows will incur a fee.
• A valid credit card is kept securely on file.

Specific fee amounts are outlined in your intake documents.

We are a paperless practice.

All intake forms and consents are completed securely through the patient portal prior to your first appointment. Our staff is happy to assist if you need help accessing or completing forms.

We follow professional guidelines that require an established treatment relationship before completing employment-related documentation.

In general:

• Patients must be established in care
• A sufficient treatment history must exist to support recommendations
• Follow-up visits may be required for updated documentation

*We do not complete court-related evaluations or disability determinations.

Treatment length varies depending on diagnosis, goals, and response to care.

Some patients require short-term support. Others benefit from longer-term maintenance treatment. We revisit goals regularly and adjust accordingly.

If you are experiencing:

• Suicidal thoughts with intent or plan
• A suicide attempt
• Severe medication reaction
• A medical emergency

Call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.

Because we do not provide after-hours coverage, urgent concerns must be addressed through emergency services.

Local 24/7 crisis resources in the Tri-Cities region include:

• 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
• Ballad Health Crisis Services – Woodridge (Johnson City)
• Creekside Behavioral Health (Kingsport)
• Frontier Health Turning Point Crisis Stabilization Unit
• Mobile Crisis Hotline (Frontier Health)